The Firehouse Subs restaurant chain makes a big deal about the fact it was founded by two actual fire fighters. That also explains why the company makes large donations to first responder organizations, including a few in North Florida.
Wednesday (4/8/15) morning, Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum received two stretch-model electric carts, tricked out as small ambulances. She says they’ll be able to go places on campus that standard ambulances and other full-sized vehicles can’t.
“This is the kind of community support that we need because you see a need and the community responds,” Mangum said. “That’s very important to us.”
Jefferson County Fire and Rescue Chief Mark Matthews was handed an expensive thermal imaging camera. He says that device will help crews locate fire and accident victims when visibility’s an issue.
“$10,000 is a lot for a community like us and this is going to help a lot,” he said.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation’s Brady Ridgon said this sort of philanthropy happens all the time in his company.
“Eighty-percent of the donations that we receive from our guests go right back to the community in the form of equipment,” he said, adding that his foundation has purchased about $13 million worth of gear nationwide since its founding in 2005.